Vice President Debate by Guest Blogger

Vice President Debate by Guest Blogger

The vice presidential debate between Tim Kaine and Mike Pence was livelier than anyone could have predicted. These two are normally relatively low profile individuals but this debate was quite an exception. The major themes of the evening included foreign policy, race relations in the United States, abortion, and Donald Trump’s taxes.

As far as foreign policy was concerned, Pence and Kaine were completely polarized. Kaine made multiple references to Trump’s association with Russia and his relationship with Putin, while Pence was quick to point out that Hilary was the head of foreign policy during a time were the treat of global terrorism become more imminent according to many conservatives.

In regards to race relations and police brutality, Mike Pence offered little substantive information about his intentions. Tim Kaine echoed, almost verbatim, the words of Hilary Clinton on community policing and gun control. Kaine, who identified as a gun owner and “strong supporter of the second amendment”, reminded the audience that he was Governor of VA at the time of the Virginia Tech massacre, which he claims could have been prevented by better background checks.

On issues of reproductive choice, Kaine has held relatively conservative views in his time as a democratic Governor. Mike Pence is known as one of the most ardent pro-birth advocates in the United States. He has successfully defunded abortion and sexual health providers in his state of Indiana. Pence made an attempt to cross the aisle and appeal to Kaine’s personal views on abortion rather than the policies he has advocated. Kaine responded by asking Pence why he refused to “trust women” in making their own medical decisions.

Finally and possibly most frequently motioned in the debate was the issue of Donald Trump’s taxes (or lack there of). It has been made public in recent weeks that Donald Trump has not paid income tax in more than 20 years. Tim Kaine constantly brought the conversation back to this point and forced Pence to come to Trump’s defense.

There was no clear victor in this debate but overall it seems possible that Pence may have been more successful due to his natural ability to neutralize what is coming form Trump. This is not a reflection on Pence’s actual abilities or understanding of anything but the unfortunate reality that even someone as radically conservative as Pence serves as a moderate voice compared to Trump.

STAY UP TO DATE

Subscribe to our newsletters

 
Subscribe to one or more of our newsletters, delivering meaningful insight on topics that matter to you and your family.
ebl home subscribe image

FURTHER READING

Latest Blog Posts

Everyone who has anyone in their life needs an estate plan, even people who own little or no property.

A common question about legal fees is why they are so high. The following article details what is built into legal fees and explains their cost.

Gifting an estate plan is an act of love because an estate plan goes far beyond material possessions, addressing the emotional, practical, and long-term well-being of your loved ones.

Prenuptial agreements (also known as prenups) can play a pivotal role in safeguarding individual spousal rights in the event of divorce and can also strengthen a marriage.

Valentine’s Day can be tricky for single parents, maybe even you. Unpartnered, at least for the time being, you might not foresee your plans fitting into conventional images of the holiday. But that doesn’t have to be. Valentine’s Day, when you’re single, can be more than a day you need to survive. It can be a day to look forward to.

Collaborative law has evolved into a globally practiced
discipline, extending well beyond the realm of family law, and is used frequently in Seattle divorces.

Classifying January as divorce month could be misleading, given how some of the numbers tell a different story. However, one thing remains clear: January is a great time for a fresh start.

A family law attorney can help with child custody (residential time) by creating or modifying a parenting plan.

Given the importance of the trustee’s role in an estate plan, it is necessary to understand the responsibilities before choosing a trustee or accepting the obligation to become one.

If you and your partner reside in Washington state and are unmarried, you each might qualify for the legal protections availed to you by law by classifying your relationship as a committed intimate relationship.